Borobudur

Borobudur, derived from the Sanskrit vihara Buddha uhr, meaning the Buddhist Monastery on the hill, is built on a bedrock hill, 265m above the sea level. Borobudur is a 9th century Mahayana Buddhist monument near Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. It is a shrine to the divine grace of Lord Buddha and also a place of pilgrimage. Borobudur is likely to have been built during the Sailendra dynasty when it was under the influence of the Srivijayan Empire.

The Mighty Borobudur

The massive monument of Borobudur consists of six square platforms topped with three circular platforms and is adorned with 2,672 relief panel and 504 Buddha statues. Arising from the centre is the central dome on the top platform surrounded by 72 perforated stupas within which 72 statues of Buddha are seated.

The pilgrimage to Borobudur starts at the base of the monument and follows a circular path through three levels of Buddhist cosmology to reach the top. The three levels are:

Kamadhatu, the world of desire

Rupadhatu, the world of forms

Arupadhatu, the world of formlessness.

Borobudur Information

Borobudur General Information

Architectural Style

Stupa and Candi

Town or City

Near Magelang, Central Java

Country

Indonesia

Coordinates

7.608°S 110.204°E

Completed

c. AD 800

Borobudur Companies Involved

Client

Sailendra

Architect

Gunadharma

Reliefs in Borobudur

Spread over 2500 sq mts, Borobudur contains 2670 separate bas reliefs, of which 1460 are narrative and 1212 are decorative panels. These bas reliefs are spread across the hidden foot, Kamadhatu and the five square platforms Rupadhatu. The reliefs detail the life of Buddha, his childhood, his wanderings in the forest and eventual attainment of Wisdom. The panels also depict the working of the law of Karma.

Borobudur, the Attraction of Indonesia

In Indonesia Borobudur is known as Candi Borobudur, meaning ancient temple. During the 14th century, Borobudur faded from popular vision as rulers changed in Indonesia. In 1814, Sir Thomas Stamford, British ruler of Java was apprised of its location by the natives and slowly Borobudur came into limelight following many restoration efforts. The major project of restoration in contemporary times was taken by Indonesian government and the UNESCO, in 1973 which resulted in the monument being declared as a World Heritage Site.

Now Borobudur is restored as a place of worship and pilgrimage. Once a year, during the full moon in May or June, Buddhists flock to Borobudur to observe the festival of Vesak which commemorates the life of Lord Buddha.

Borobudur is the single most favored tourist destination in Indonesia. With more than half a million visitors coming in, Borobudur is sure to stay on the map for a long time.

Borobudur Narrative Panels Distribution

Section

Location

Story

Panels

Hidden Foot

wall

Karmavibhangga

160

First Gallery

main wall

Lalitavistara

120

Jataka/Avadana

120

balustrade

Jataka/Avadana

372

Jataka/Avadana

128

Second Gallery

balustrade

Jataka/Avadana

100

main wall

Gandavyuha

128

Third Gallery

main wall

Gandavyuha

88

balustrade

Gandavyuha

88

Fourth Gallery

main wall

Gandavyuha

84

balustrade

Gandavyuha

72

Total

1,460

Borobudur Buddha Statues

Mudra

Symbolic Meaning

Dhyani Buddha

Cardinal Point

Location of the Statue

Bhumisparsa mudra

Calling the Earth to witness

Aksobhya

East

Rupadhatu niches on the first four eastern balustrades

Vara mudra

Benevolence, alms giving

Ratnasambhava

South

Rupadhatu niches on the first four southern balustrades

Dhyana mudra

Concentration and meditation

Amitabha

West

Rupadhatu niches on the first four western balustrades

Abhaya mudra

Courage, fearlessness

Amoghasiddhi

North

Rupadhatu niches on the first four northern balustrades

Vitarka mudra

Reasoning and virtue

Vairochana

Zenith

Rupadhatu niches in all directions on the fifth (uppermost) balustrade